Home Care Supports Caregiver Wellness

In last month's Choices, we took a look at some of the emotional challenges experienced by the 3 million Canadians currently providing care for an elderly or disabled loved one.  For many families, in-home care provides the balance that makes the caregiving dynamic more satisfactory for senior and family alike.

Caregiving brings with it many rewards: the satisfaction of giving back to an aging parent, the sense of loyalty to a spouse who has developed health challenges, and the positive emotions we feel when helping older relatives who are important to us. It is a natural human impulse to care for loved ones in need.

But providing care can also take a toll on the physical and emotional well-being of caregivers. With the aging of the baby boomers, more and more attention is now being focused on the health needs of family caregivers, who are expected to provide increasing long-term care to Canadian seniors in the coming years. Studies show that many caregivers experience a high level of stress and are at higher risk of health problems such as depression, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

The Canadian Caregiver Coalition reminds us how important it is to "care for the caregiver." If you are providing care for an older loved one, are you taking advantage of services that are available to you? One resource that can help in many ways is professional home care.

In-Home Care Benefits Seniors and Families Alike

Elderly care services at home can provide the support that your family needs to balance your busy lives. Whether your loved one lives in their own home, with you, or in a senior living community, in-home care promotes a safe, secure environment. Knowing your loved one is well-cared for allows you to better focus on work and other responsibilities—and, just as important, to truly relax when on vacation or just enjoying some personal time.

After conducting a health care needs assessment, an agency can select trained caregivers who are just right for your loved one's needs. The caregiver can come every day of the week, occasionally as needed, or even overnight. Caregivers can:

• Perform housekeeping, laundry and other household chores
• Assist with personal care, such as bathing and toileting
• Plan and prepare meals, including special diets
• Take your loved one shopping, to doctors' appointments, and on special outings for stimulation and physical activity
• Help with medication management
• Provide companionship and a sense of security
• Ensure peace of mind for family caregivers
• Enable your loved one to feel a sense of greater dignity by being able to remain in their own home.

Many families report that making at home senior care part of a loved one's care routine "normalizes" the family dynamic. When the in-home caregiver takes over some of the personal care tasks that the senior can no longer handle on his or her own, this means the senior and family members can spend their time together doing things they truly enjoy, such as playing a game, going for a walk, attending social events…the kinds of activities that promote an enhanced quality of life.

Remember: having a trained caregiver on hand allows everyone in the family to take positive steps for improving their own health and well-being. Caring for the caregiver is an important part of caring for loved ones.

"Home Care Supports Family Caregivers" Wordfind This month's puzzle contains the names of ways home care can support the independence and well-being of seniors and family caregivers. Give your brain a workout and find all 20 words!